One of my last acquired brooches is one of those I so admire Micro mosaic technique in Etruscan style. It is marked 18k and perhaps somebody knows what kind of mark (photo in two directions) it is? After examined under a loop will I think it's the old Vatican hallmark of crossed keys. A better photo I cannot make. The more I learn about Micro Mosaic jewelry the more I become convinced that this brooch was made under supervision of Castellani or at least one of his assistants.

I was surprised to see one of my Micro Mosaic brooches (also on this page, the peasant lady on a cushion) to see on a film about this subject. If you want to learn more you can link to: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14896068

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vetraio50, 3 years agoThe brooch is amazing!
Thank you for sharing this item with us!
You could well have a treasure here!
An emblematic jewel!
It's certainly in the Roman revivalist style of Castellani jewels of the late nineteenth century. The Castellani family popularised Italian archaeological jewelry: inspired by the Etruscan, Greco-Roman, and Byzantine antiquities being excavated at that time. Check ou this site for their mark of entwined C's.http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Castellani

But can I suggest you start a google images search with "chi rho micro mosaic" and you'll see what I mean.

Chi rho, labarum, IX monogram, Ichthys are all relevant here. Christian symbols integrated with Roman symbolism of laurel leaves and victory. Constantine I and a vision.

There is much research for you to do.
I hope you nought it well.
Get an expert to look at it!

Agram.m, 3 years agoHello vetrai050,
Thanks a lot for your interesting comment. I will look around. The problem is that we don't have so much antique experts and they give not always the good value is my experience. Perhaps they might be afraid to pay a too high price in case of selling.